Over 2 000 new free Wi-Fi hotspots planned for the Western Cape
· The South African
For many people, free Wi-Fi is no longer just a nice extra. It’s how homework gets done, CVs get sent, and small businesses stay alive.
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Now, the Western Cape wants to take that access a step further, with plans to roll out over 2 000 free Wi-Fi hotspots across the province.
The announcement forms part of a broader budget presented by Finance Minister Deidre Baartman, with a strong focus on digital access and infrastructure over the next three years.
Free Wi-Fi: From convenience to necessity
A few years ago, public Wi-Fi was mostly a convenience. Today, it’s closer to a basic need.
Across the province, the existing network is already heavily used. On any given day, hundreds of thousands of devices connect, with people using the service to study, apply for jobs, access government services, or simply stay in touch.
Each user gets a monthly data allocation at no cost. It may not replace full home internet, but it makes a real dent, especially when compared to the price of mobile data.
According to Baartman, the expansion isn’t random. It’s focused on places where connectivity matters most.
Think clinics where patients need to access health information. Schools where learners rely on online resources. Libraries that double as digital workspaces. And communities where buying data every month just isn’t an option.
The province has already connected well over a thousand sites. Pushing that number past 2 000 means more people will have a reliable place nearby to get online.
Not just internet, but access
Alongside Wi-Fi, the province is also investing in ways to help people actually use the internet.
Mobile e-centres and digital kiosks are part of that effort. These are set up to reach rural areas, offering basic computer access, training, and simple services like printing or scanning.
While the focus is on access, there’s a bigger picture behind it.
The province is also investing in the systems that support all of this. That includes stronger cloud platforms, better data management, and improved cybersecurity. There are even early plans to bring artificial intelligence into how services are delivered.
In Cape Town, the growing presence of data centres run by companies like Teraco and Africa Data Centres shows how quickly the region’s digital backbone is evolving, supported by global players such as Amazon Web Services.